Tradition: English Mythology
Alternative Names: Snail-Riding Rabbit, Medieval Rabbit Knight
Category: Rabbit
The Myth
The Rabbit Rider is a strange warrior rabbit depicted in medieval manuscripts. His most unusual feature is his mount: a snail with a human-like face. Armed with his courage and accompanied by his loyal steed, the Rabbit Rider goes into battle against hunters and hounds.
In some illustrations, the rabbit faces a hound while riding a more familiar mount, such as another rabbit. One example appears in The Breviary of Renaud de Bar, where a confused-looking bunny serves as the steed. These bizarre battles reverse the usual relationship between hunter and prey, turning the rabbit into a fearless warrior. How the fights ended remains unknown, but the Rabbit Rider appears ready to put up a fierce struggle.
Sources
“Killer Rabbits: When Bunnies Strike Back.” Medieval Manuscripts Blog, British Library, June 2021. https://blogs.bl.uk/digitisedmanuscripts/2021/06/killer-rabbits.html